Las Vegas Lights FC fell short in hard-fought battle against New Mexico United on Saturday night.
After a late comeback from goals by Johnny Rodriguez and Joe Gyau, New Mexico scored a heartbreaking game-winner resulting in a 3-2 defeat for the Lights at Cashman Field.
With three hard-earned points against Tampa Bay already in the bag, the Lights were aiming for their second consecutive win at home against New Mexico United. One of the league’s brewing rivalries, this Las Vegas – New Mexico matchup was the most promising of Matchday 2, especially with the return of former Lights Head Coach Dennis Sanchez to Cashman Field added more drama to an already exciting face-off.
After a goalless but very intense first half, the second half made up for it with an explosion of goals.
A couple of mistakes from the Lights’ back line were capitalized on by McKinze Gaines and Greg Hurst to give New Mexico a comfortable 2-0 lead. However, the Lights struck back thanks to a goal from Johnny Rodriguez and an impeccable strike by Joe Gyau to make things level at the 90th minute.
But, to the fans’ dismay, Will Seymore would have the final say on the match’s outcome, scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time on the game’s final play to give New Mexico the lead and the three points.
The Turning Point
Down 2-0, Antonio Nocerino made three aggressive substitutions at once, bringing Maliek Howell, Rory O’Driscoll, and Shawn Smart on to the pitch.
He re-structured the team tactically and mentally, establishing a more aggressive posture to catch-up to New Mexico.
It worked. With Valentin Noel pushed higher up the field in a more attacking position, he delivered the assist to Rodriguez before Gyau (also in a more attacking forward role than the wingback role he started the game in) equalized.
Unfortunately, Will Seymore’s last-minute goal sealed the deal for New Mexico and left Las Vegas with nothing to show for their work.
What They’re Saying
MIDFIELDER VALENTIN NOEL
On what the team discussed in impromptu huddle right after the game…
It was just a moment of no matter what happened on the field, nothing is going break us apart. We’re a team, we’re growing together, we’re learning together… It’s going to make us stronger and there was a lot of positives to take from this game… We move on.
On looking forward to the next couple of games and how to keep up the energy…
It’s just being on the same page with our system and the way we bring the ball up the field first. All the buildup, being the opposition’s pressure… and how we establish ourselves there, how we stay there to push, put pressure on them, and just not letting them out of there.
HEAD COACH ANTONIO NOCERINO
On his overall thoughts on the match…
That my team scored 5 goals… The 3 goals New Mexico had it’s a gift; it’s an individual mistake. And at this level it’s impossible for me this mistake, but it’s OK because it’s a process.
On the positives he took away from this game…
The reaction, the quality with the ball, and the personality. Because the team played very well, I’m very happy…this moment, the situation, it’s OK, but I hope that for next week the situation is better.
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Ammeter (GK), Singer (Howell 72’), Gartig, Jones (Smart 71’), Noel (c), Pearson, Gyau, Nigro, Azcona (Covil 46’, O.Driscoll 71’), Pinzon, Rodriguez
New Mexico United Starting XI:
Tambakis (GK), Gloster, Herbert (Lindsey 46’), Rivas (Zelalem 70’), Vargas, Gaines (Fernando 70’), Akale (Pondeca 90’), Maples (c), Seymore, Hurst, Bailey
Goals:
NMU – Orrin McKinze Gaines II – 52′
NMU – Greg Hurst – 69’
LV – Johnny Rodriguez – 72’
LV – Joseph-Claude Gyau – 90’
Discipline:
NMU – Yellow, Herbert – 37’
NMU –Yellow, Gloster – 50’
NMU – Yellow, Zelalem – 74’
NMU – Yellow, Hurst – 85’
NMU – Yellow, Bailey – 90+3’
Next Up
The Lights have a bye week this upcoming week. They return to action in Oakland next Saturday, March 29th against Oakland Roots at 7:00 p.m. It will be the first away game for the Lights this season. The team’s next match at home is Saturday, April 5 against Orange County SC.